Enhanced storage system for electrical appliances, powercords and adapters

ABSTRACT

A storage system for organizing, handling and storing small electrical appliances with powercords and adapters, in an orderly and efficient manner for ease of access, and especially for handling and storing loose powercords. The system comprises a powercord storage tool, and an appliance storage container. The powercord storage tool provides efficient means for gripping, winding and retaining a powercord. It also provides means for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to an electrical appliance, and alternately for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to the outside of the appliance storage container. The appliance storage container provides storage of the appliance inside, and a rack on the outside for attaching and holding the tool, with powercord wound thereon, onto the outside of the container. The tool also provides manual guiding and direct sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on the powercord while it is being wound onto the powercord storage tool.

This application is a continuation-in-part of parent application Ser.No. 08/325,039 filed Oct. 18, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,333. Thiscontinuation-in-part application claims benefits of earlier filing dateof said parent application; is by the same inventor as the parentapplication; and was filed prior to patenting, abandonment, ortermination of proceedings of said parent application, in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. 120.

BACKGROUND OF CONTINUATION-IN-PART APPLICATION

The parent application was for an invention entitled "STORAGE SYSTEM FORELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, POWERCORDS AND ADAPTERS". During pendency of theparent application, additional aspects and embodiments of the inventionwere developed. This continuation-in-part application discloses thoseadditional aspects and embodiments as new matter, is dependent in parton prior disclosures in the original specification of the parentapplication, and makes new claims based on both the prior disclosuresand the new matter. This application contains and sets forth a true andaccurate copy or restatement of the original specification including theoriginal drawings, FIGS. 1-6; and discloses and describes the additionalaspects and embodiments as new matter in new specifications includingnew drawings FIGS. 7-11, all as set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to electrical power tools, and in particular to arevised system of storage apparatus for receiving, handling, and storingsmall electrical and electronic appliances, including their powercordsand adapters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of small electrical appliances are in use in industrializedsociety, not only in industry but in offices, schools, and households,as well. There is proliferation of hair dryers, razors, hair clippers,curling irons, nail polishers, electric toothbrushes, irons, drills,glue guns, sprayers, mixers, electric knifes, slicers, and the like.Each appliance requires its own loose powercord. There is alsoproliferation of a new generation of very small electronic appliancessuch as cassette players, CD-ROM drives, cellular telephones, desktopand laptop computers, computer games, game controls, recharging devices,converters, adapters, and interface modules, each requiring a powercord.Many very small appliances require a converter, adapter or rechargerwhich is most often affixed not to the appliance but to the powercord,to eliminate bulk from the appliance. Portable computers compriseseparate portable modules, disc drives, modems, and interface terminals,which require cords and adapters of various configurations.

Often within a household, each person has his and her own personalassortment of electric and electronic appliances, including personalhair dryer, razor, electric toothbrush, calculator, cassette player, CDdrive, game cartridges, game controls, and headsets. Young personsespecially are more and more equipped with many small appliances,electronic toys, games, game consoles, game controls, music devices, andgadgets requiring powercords, adapters, converters, and rechargingdevices. This results in household drawers and boxes of appliances,electronic devices, powercords and adapters.

Each appliance requires its own loose powercord. None has been found todisclose a storage system comprising interfaced, detachable storage toolwith storage bin shelf for retention and storage of appliances, cords,and storage modules in an orderly manner.

As the pace of life accelerates, there is increasing necessity tominimize the clutter of small appliances with loose cords and adapters.Yet, prior to this application, nothing had been disclosed to solve theproblem. Drawers of powercords, adapters and appliances continue togrow. An executive in one company that manufactures small appliances hascommented that one problem in the industry is the nightmare of what todo with the maze of assorted powercords. A need exists for system,apparatus and methods for efficient handling of small appliances,powercords and adapters, and especially for storing loose powercords.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a storage systemcomprising an interfaced-detachable storage tool device, storage bincontainer, and rack, is provided to reel-in and store the cord of anelectrical appliance, and to hold and store the appliance and adapter,all efficiently stored in and on the storage bin rack. The cord storagemodule, with cord stored thereon, fits and matches the appliance forwhich it is selected, without modification or physical change to theappliance. The module may be interfaced with and re-attached to itsappliance by quick-acting, hook-and-loop straps, thus keeping each cordefficiently with its appliance.

In an another aspect of the present invention, the interfaced, hand-heldstorage tool with powercord wound thereon, is capable of efficientstorage within a storage bin and attachment to a rack, by rails locatedon one flange of the storage tool. The rail, or equivalent attachmentmeans, interfaces with a rack such as a series of matching slots, orequivalent attachment hardware, on the rack.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the storage toolwith powercord wound thereon may be interfaced and attached to itsrespective appliance as a unit, with said unit being capable ofefficient storage in, and attachment to, a special storage bin rack.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, thisinterface-attached and detachable, hand-held storage tool with powercordwound thereon, may be attached alternately, either to the appliance, orto the storage rack for good order and ease of access.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL ASPECTS

In accordance with an additional aspect, the powercord storage toolcomprises a retaining member flange which may be attached directly tothe outside of the storage bin container without requiring railbrackets. The interface pad, the hook-and-loop straps, and the rails or"rail-brackets", are eliminated from the tool, enabling the rotatingmember, or retaining member, of the tool to fit directly into the slot,or interface rack, on the front of the storage bin container. Theinterface rack has been shaped to receive the retaining member; and thefront edge of the container is shaped to accommodate the rotating knobof the tool, permitting the knob to extend over the edge and into thestorage container, as the tool is attached directly onto the outside.The retaining member slips directly into the interface rack on the frontof the container. This simplifies construction of the tool and theinterface rack.

In accordance with an additional embodiment of this invention, thefinger grips on the powercord storage tool have been ergonomicallydesigned and shaped to fit and be held by the fingers of one hand of anoperator, and to provide openings between the fingers holding the tool,that the fingers may efficiently accommodate and control flow of thepowercord as it is being wound onto the spool or retaining member,providing direct sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on thepowercord while it is being wound onto the storage tool. In thisembodiment, there are four finger grips mounted on the base, eachconcavely curved to accommodate the natural shape of human fingers. Apair of finger grips are opposingly mounted on two opposing sides of thebase. Two opposing edges of the base are each shaped to contain twoconcave indentions; each indention shaped to match and receive theconvex shape of a human finger, and arranged for the tool to be graspedand held in one hand. A finger grip is fixedly attached at each of saidindentions of the base. The base of the powercord storage tool is heldby the fingers of one hand while the other hand rotates the knob of therotating member, thus adroitly winding the cord onto the storage tool.With the base held by one hand, the incoming cord, as it is being woundonto the spool or retaining member, is snugged lightly between fingersof that hand and are guided into the opening between fingers and fingergrips on the retaining member, thus giving the operator control of thetension and direction of flow of the cord, permitting it to be keptappropriately tight and snug on the spool and eliminating kinks toarrange it straight and smooth on the spool. This enhances efficiency,ease and expediency of winding and storing the loose powercord.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the Invention can be had by referringto the following Detailed Description, taken with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a is an isometric perspective view of non-rotating storage tool 10forming one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1b is an isometric perspective view of non-rotatable storage tool30, without powercord, with straps for interface attachment toappliance.

FIG. 1c is an isometric perspective view of tool 30, showing a typicalpowercord wrapped on the retaining member.

FIG. 2a is a side view of rotatable storage tool 40 forming anotherembodiment of the present invention, attachable to a storage bin rack.

FIG. 2b is an isometric perspective view of rotatable storage tool 50,as another embodiment of tool 40, but with quick-acting, hook-and-loopstraps for interface attachment to a typical appliance.

FIG. 2c is likewise an isometric perspective view of tool 50, showing atypical powercord wrapped on the retaining member.

FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective view of rotatable tool 50, as itwould be interfaced with and attached to the handle of a typicalappliance such as an electric hairdryer.

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of non-rotatable tool 10, withrail-bracket rails for a storage rack, showing the powercord andconverter, of an appliance requiring conversion from AC to DC power,with the converter end of said cord gripped in a notch in one of theflanges.

FIG. 5 is an isometric perspective view of storage bin rack 100 asanother aspect of this invention, shown empty, showing the bin and rackwhich can hold, store and interface with typical appliances and withrail-bracket rails of said storage tools.

FIG. 6 is an isometric perspective view of storage bin rack 100, showingtypical use of the components of the storage system of this invention,with typical appliances in typical positions as they would be stored andfitted in and on a storage bin rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS OF ADDITIONAL ASPECTS

FIG. 7a is a side view of rotatable storage tool 250 forming anotherembodiment, in which interface pad, rail-bracket and quick-latchingstraps have been eliminated, showing additional aspects of directattachment of storage tool to the storage bin container.

FIG. 7b is an isometric perspective view of rotatable storage tool 250,showing ergonomic finger grips as additional embodiments for holdingsaid tool, for guiding the powercord onto the retaining member, and forproviding direct sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on thepowercord as it is being wound onto the storage tool.

FIG. 7c is an additional isometric perspective view of tool 250, showinga typical powercord wound onto the retaining member.

FIG. 8 is an isometric perspective view of rotatable tool 250, withpowercord wound thereon while the powercord is attached to its typicalelectrical appliance, with powercord wound onto retaining member orspool, with plug end of cord gripped in one notch in the flange of theretaining member, and appliance end gripped in the other notch.

FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective view of rotatable tool 250, showingthe powercord and converter of a typical appliance requiring conversionfrom AC to DC power, with the plug end of the cord gripped in one notchin the flange and the converter end gripped in the other notch.

FIG. 10 is an isometric perspective view of storage bin container 500 asanother embodiment of this invention, shown empty, which can hold, storeand interface with typical appliances, adapters and storage tools, andshown with interface racks or slots on the front which interface and fitdirectly with the retaining member 214 of powercord storage tool 250,without the rail brackets that would otherwise be required. FIG. 10 alsoshows schematic alignment of two powercord storage tools 250, inlocation and alignment above the respective interface racks, into whichthey may be insetd, for holding said tools outside said containers.

FIG. 11 is an isometric perspective view of storage container 500,showing typical use of the enhanced storage system of this invention,with typical appliances in typical positions as the powercord will bewound onto the storage tool 250, the appliances and adapters storedinside the appliance storage container 500, and the tools, with cordthereon, interfaced and fitted onto the outside of the container 500, onthe container interface rack 512, or 514, or 516.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views; in FIG. 1a,there is illustrated a storage tool 10 forming one embodiment of thepresent invention, but empty, i.e. without powercord.

FIG. 1a is an isometric perspective view of empty storage tool 10,without powercord, comprising retaining member 12 with non-rotatingflange 14 located on one end and non-rotating flange 16 on the otherend. Flange 14 contains notches 18 and 20 for securing the ends of atypical powercord not shown in FIG. 1a, to be wrapped onto retainingmember 12. Rail-brackets 22 and 24 are shown as fixedly attached toflange 14 and shaped and arranged in a manner as shown in FIGS. 5-6 tomatch and fit within storage slot 112-114 of storage bin 100.

FIGS. 1b-1c are perspective views of storage tool 30, which is anotherembodiment of this invention. In FIG. 1b, tool 30 is empty, i.e. withoutpowercord, and for illustration purposes, parts of flanges 14 and 16have been cut away to show retaining member 12, as in other drawingsherein. Notice that tool 30 is another embodiment of tool 10 of FIG. 1a.In tool 30, contact surface 36a has been selected for interface with atypical appliance; flange 14 is fitted, at surface 36a, with resilientinterface pad 36 which may be compressed to conform to the shape ofhandle 74 as shown in FIG. 3; rail-brackets 22 and 24 are shaped andarranged, as shown in FIG. 3, to align with handle 74 of a typicalelectrical appliance 72; and contact surface 36a, as fitted withresilient, conformable pad 36, and rail-bracket rails 22 and 24, whichtogether cooperatively form a concave interface pocket, shaped toconform to a selected portion such as a handle 74 of a selected, typicalelectrical appliance such as typical hairdryer 72; and flexible straps32 and 34 are fixedly attached to flange 14 and to rail-brackets 22 and24 respectively, as means for attaching tool 30 to handle 74, in amanner as shown in FIG. 3 wherein they may be wrapped around handle 74and removably latched.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1b, means for attaching the tool 30 to handle74 as shown in FIG. 3, is disclosed as flexible straps 32 and 34,comprising flexible, quick-acting, plastic hook-and-loop materials, butmay equivalently be comprised of other attaching means well know topersons of ordinary skill in the art, such as straps with a buckle, andother equivalent means for attaching.

FIG. 1c is an isometric perspective view of tool 30 with a typicalpowercord 70 stored thereon, being wound between flanges 14 and 16 ontoretaining member 12, which in this view is hidden beneath powercord 70.FIG. 1c illustrates that one end of powercord 70 may be removablygripped in notch 18, and the other end of powercord 70 likewise may begripped in notch 20.

FIG. 2a is an illustration of rotatable storage tool 40 comprisingretaining member 12 with flange 14 fixedly attached to one end ofretaining member 12, and with flange 42 rotatably attached to the otherend of retaining member 12 by means of pivot pin 44. Knob handle 46 isrotatably attached to an outside portion of flange 14 as means formanually rotating flange 14 and retaining member 12 about pivot pin 44with respect to flange 42. Rail-bracket 24, and likewise typicalrail-bracket 22 which is not visible in this view of FIG. 2a, arefixedly attached to flange 14, as means for fitting tool 40 intomatching slot 112-114 of a storage bin 100 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 2b shows rotatable storage tool 50 as another embodiment of thisinvention, wherein tool 50 is similar to rotatable tool 40 of FIG. 2a.In tool 50, rail-brackets 22 and 24 are arranged, as shown in FIG. 3, toalign with handle 74 of a typical electrical appliance 72; resilientinterface pad 36 is fitted and fixedly attached to flange 14 at surface36a between rail-brackets 22 and 24; is made of resilient material suchas plastic sponge; and may be compressed to conform to the shape ofhandle 74 as shown in FIG. 3; and contact surface 36a as fitted withresilient, conformable pad 36 and side rails 22 and 24, together form aconcave interface pocket, shaped to conform to a selected portion suchas a handle 74 flexible straps 32 and 34 are fixedly attached to flange14 and to rail-brackets 22 and 24 respectively, in a manner as shown inFIG. 2b wherein they may be wrapped around handle 74 and removablylatched, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 2b, means for attaching tool 50 to handle 74 as shown in FIG. 3,is disclosed as flexible straps 32 and 34, comprising flexible,quick-acting, plastic hook-and-loop materials; but the attaching meansmay equivalently be comprised of other attaching means well know topersons of ordinary skill in the art, such as flexible straps with abuckle, clamps, gripping hardware, and other equivalent means forattaching.

FIG. 2c of rotatable storage tool 50, shows how a typical powercord 70may be stored thereon by winding it onto retaining member 12 betweenflanges 14 and 16, illustrating that one end of powercord 70 may beremovably gripped in notch 18, and the other end likewise gripped innotch 20.

FIG. 3 illustrates rotatable storage tool 50 as interfaced and fittedonto typical handle 74 of a typical appliance 72, by means ofrail-brackets 22 and 24 and resilient interface pad 36 which resilientlyconforms to the shape of handle 74 as shown in FIG. 3, and as removablyattached to handle 74 by attaching means well known in the art such asstraps 32 and 34 which are in this embodiment comprised of flexible,quick-acting, plastic hook-and-loop materials.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of storage tool 10 as disclosed in thisinvention, showing how tool 10 will be used to store a typical powercord82 for a typical appliance such as converter 80 by wrapping powercord 82about retaining member 12, which in this view is hidden beneathpowercord 82, wound between flanges 14 and 16, with the converter end 86of said powercord 82 gripped in notch 18 and the plug end 84 gripped innotch 20. It will be apparent as disclosed in this invention, that otherembodiments such as storage tools 10, 30, 40 and 50, and otherequivalent embodiments, will likewise be useable for storage ofpowercords of other small electric appliances and electronic appliances,including powercords with adapters, converters and recharging devicesfixedly attached such as converter 80.

FIG. 4 also shows how a pair of finger grips 88a and 88b may be affixedto the inside face of opposing edges of flange 16, for ease of holdingtool 10 in one hand while powercord 82 is manually wound onto retainingmember 12 not shown in this view of FIG. 4. Equivalently, said fingergrips 88a and 88b may be likewise affixed to flange 16 of tool 30, andequivalently, likewise affixed to flange 42 on tool 40, and equivalentlytool 50, for ease of holding in one hand.

FIG. 5 illustrates storage bin 100, comprised of back 102, right side104, left side 106, bottom 108, and front 110, which in turn is fittedwith left T-flange 112, left-center T-flange 114, right-center T-flange116, and right T-flange 118, which are each shaped and arranged as shownin FIG. 5 to form matching slots 112-114, 114-116, and 116-118,respectively. The bottom of each slot 112-114, 114-116, and 116-118, iseach respectively closed with stops 120, 122, and 124.

In FIG. 5, tool 10 and tool 140 are shown for purposes of schematicillustration as schematically suspended above and aligned with slots112-114 and 114-116, respectively, into which they each may be fittedfor storage, as shown in FIG. 6. Notice in the embodiment of tool 140 asshown in FIGS. 5-6, tool 140 is similar to rotatable storage tool 40 ofFIG. 2a.

FIG. 6 shows an additional view of storage bin 100 as disclosed in thisembodiment, holding storage tool 10 fitted into slot 112-114, withpowercord 152 of typical small electronic appliance such asearphone-headset 150 wound onto storage tool 10, and in turn,earphone-headset 150 is stored within bin 100. Likewise, FIG. 6 showsstorage bin 100 holding storage tool 140 with powercord 82 wrappedthereon of typical small electronic appliance such as converter 80,which in turn is stored within storage bin 100, while rail-brackets arefitted within slot 114-116.

To assure complete disclosure, although in some places redundant, it isemphasized that the rotatable storage tool 50 attaches to typical handle74 of typical electric hairdryer 72 without requiring modification ofthe hairdryer in any manner. Storage tool 50 with typical powercord 76wound thereon, interfaces with and is attached to handle 74 of typicalhair dryer appliance 72, and attaches thereto of its own means. It willbe apparent that rotatable storage tool 50 as shown in FIGS. 2b, 2c, and3, is fitted with rail-brackets 22 and 24 which are arranged tointerface and fit within slot 112-114, and equivalently with slots114-116, and equivalently with slot 116-118, of storage bin 100 of FIG.5. Thus rotatable storage tool 50 with typical powercord 70 woundthereon, may be stored by fitting it into slots 116-118 in a mannerequivalently shown for tools 10 and 140 in FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 2b, storage tool 50 comprises retaining member 12, with firstflange 14 fixedly attached to one end of said retaining member 12.Second flange 42 is rotatably attached, by means of pivot pin 44, whichis not visible in views of FIG. 2b and 2c, to the other end of retainingmember 12. A first notch 18 is located on first flange 14, for grippingan end of typical powercord 70. A second notch 20 is likewise located infirst flange 14 for gripping another end of typical powercord 70.Notches 18 and 20 may be any equivalent gripping, cleating or wedgingmeans for securing the cord 70 to retaining member 12 to preventunwinding. Retaining member 12 is shaped to receive power cord 70 assaid cord 70 is wound onto the storage tool 50.

Knob handle 46 is rotatably attached near the perimeter of non-rotatablefirst flange 14. Knob 46 is used for manually rotating retaining member12, with its fixedly attached flange 14, about pivot pin 44 with respectto rotatable flange 42.

An interface contact surface 36a is located on first flange 14. Contactsurface 36a is fitted with resilient, conformable pad 36 and side rails22 and 24, which together form a concave interface pocket, shaped toconform to a selected portion such as a handle 70 of a selected, typicalelectrical appliance such as typical hairdryer 72.

A pair of straps 32 and 34 are affixed to first flange 14 in a manner toinclude two opposing sides of contact surface 36a. The loose strap ends32 and 34 are configured and arranged to be capable of being selectivelywrapped and latched around a selected portion such as handle 74 oftypical appliance 72 as shown in FIG. 3. Straps 32 and 34 may be made ofconventional strap material such as fabric, leather or plastic, and maybe fitted with conventional fasteners such as snaps, buckles andequivalent fitting means. In this embodiment, straps 32 and 34 are madeof plastic, quick-latching, multiple hook and compatible multiple loopmaterial fastener means of a type conventionally sold under the Velcro®trademark, which is capable of quick attachment and release.

Retaining member 12, flanges 14 and 16, pivot pin 44, knob 46, andrail-brackets 22 and 24, and likewise retaining member 214, base 242,knob 246, and finger grips 248, may be made of any conventionalmanufacturing materials of adequate strength for fabrication or casting,such as wood, metal, and equivalently plastic. Pad 36 may be made ofconventional, light weight resilient materials such as sponge rubber,plastic and the like.

In typical embodiments, such as FIGS. 1-6 and likewise FIGS. 7-11, thestructural components of this invention are made of plastic, andequivalent light weight, durable materials, for ease and economy ofmanufacture, and for reliability, structural strength and light weight.

Accordingly, fixed flange 14 and 214 and retaining member 12 may be ofplastic cast as a unit, which may be referred to as the rotor andequivalently the retaining member, comprising said fixed flange 14 and214 with retaining member fixedly attached thereto, and forming a partof said rotor.

The attachment is accomplished without modification of the appliance inany manner, and is thus readily fitted to many different smallappliances. In this embodiment, storage tool 50 would be manufactured tointerface with the particular appliance 72, by selecting a preferredportion 74 of that appliance 72 for attachment. Contact surface 36a, pad36, and rail-brackets 22 and 24 are shaped and arranged to conform toand fit around the shape of selected interface portion which in the FIG.3 embodiment would be handle 74.

In still another aspect of present invention, storage tool 50 isattachable to a storage rack 100. In this embodiment, rail-brackets 22and 24 are shaped to fit and slip into matching slots 112-114 of storageslot 100. Slots 112-114, 114-116, will receive and retain rail-brackets22 and 24 in a manner to hold storage tool 50 in a selected storedposition, for ready ease of access and orderly storage. In still anotheraspect, not illustrated here, it will be obvious that the capability forattachment of storage tool 50 to storage rack 60 may by omitted by notproviding rails 22 and 24 on side-braces 22 and 24. Or as seen in FIGS.7-11, the capability for attachment of storage tool 250 to storagecontainer 500 may be achieved, without rail-brackets, by shapingretaining member 214 and slot 512 to be directly compatible as explainedbelow.

In typical usage as shown in FIGS. 2c and 2b, an operator will graspempty storage tool 50 in one hand, holding it by flange 42. For ease ofholding tool 50 in one hand, and equivalently for holding tool 40, andtool 50, in one hand, flange 42, and equivalently flange 16 of tools 10and 30, may be fixedly equipped with finger grips 88a and 88b, as shownon flange 16 of tool 10 in FIG. 4. Press the free end of powercord 70into first notch 18. Grasp knob 46 with the other hand, and rotate firstflange 14, as affixed to retaining member 12, about pivot point 44 towind the free length of cord 70 onto retaining member 12 between flanges14 and 44. Press the remaining end of cord 70 into notch 20 to preventunwinding. Place the storage tool 50 with cord 70 wound thereon intoposition with contact surface 36a, pad 36 and rail-brackets 22 and 24aligned and in contact with selected portion 74 of selected appliance72. Snugly wrap and tightly latch the loose ends of straps 32 and 34about selected portion 74. In this manner, the powercord 70 will bestored, and storage tool 50 will be attached as an integral part ofappliance 72. Alternately and selectively, storage tools 10, 30, 40, 50,and 140, may be stored in storage bin 100, and selectively attached onsaid racks, per FIGS. 5-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL ASPECTS

FIGS. 7-11 show disclosures of alternate embodiments and additionalaspects of this invention over the basic disclosures of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 7a is a side view of rotatable storage tool 250 forming anadditional embodiment, showing an alternate means of interfaceattachment of the storage tool to the storage bin container. In thisembodiment, the interface pad, rail-bracket and quick-latching strapshave been eliminated, thus presenting shape of flange 214 of theretaining member as a flat, planar surface, without obstruction, whichcan thus be fitted directly into interface rack 512, or 514, or 516, asshown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. This embodiment simplifies theconstruction of storage tool 250 and facilitates handling the storagetool 250 and rotation of the retaining member 214 for winding thepowercord thereon. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the racks, 512, 514,and 516, on the outside of the front of the storage container 500 areshaped to fit and directly accommodate the planar flange of the rotatingmember 214 of the powercord storage tool 250. Thus, after the powercordhas been wound onto a storage tool 250, the tool 250 may be turned withthe retaining member 214 parallel to the front of the container 500,with the rotating knob 246 in the upward position facing into thecontainer 500. The flange 214 of retaining member 214 will slip directlyinto rack 512, or alternately, rack 514, or 516. FIG. 7a shows side viewof base 242, showing ergonomically designed finger grips 248 attached,of which there are a total of four each finger grips 248 per tool 250.

FIG. 7b is an isometric perspective view of rotatable storage tool 250,as another view of this tool, showing the simplified planar design offlange 246, and additional aspects as the ergonomically designed andshaped finger grips 248 on base 242 provide means for holding said tool250 in one hand of an operator, means for guiding said powercord betweenthe fingers of the operator and onto the retaining member 214, and meansfor providing direct sensory feedback to the operator of tension on thepowercord, and its position and condition, while the powercord is beingwound onto the retaining member 214.

In this embodiment, the inventor has found and hereby discloses thatefficiency of holding the tool 250, gripping the end of the powercord inthe notch 218 on the flange 214, and turning the knob 248 on theretaining member 214 is enhanced, facilitating guidance of the powercordefficiently onto the retaining member 214. Finger grips are designed andshaped to fit the functional working surfaces of the fingers, wherebytool 250 can be handled more adroitly. Finger grips 248 and have beenplaced on the tool in location, so that the fingers of the one handholding the tool 250, can be concurrently and simultaneously used tokeep the cord straight, smooth and snug.

In this embodiment, the tool is grasp in the fingers of one hand by theergonomically designed finger grips 248, direct sensory feedback oftension on the cord is provided to the operator while the cord is beingwound, permitting the operator to control and direct the flow andarrangement of the cord onto the tool. In this aspect, the termergonomic is interpreted as biotechnological, of or pertaining to thataspect of technology, and particularly mechanical design, applied tofunction and movements of the human body, which is concerned with theapplication of biological and engineering data, both kinetic anddynamic, to problems relating to the mutual adjustment of man and themachine.

FIG. 7c is likewise an isometric perspective view of tool 250, showing atypical powercord wound onto the retaining member. FIG. 7c shows base242, shaped finger grips 248, of which there are four each per tool 250,flange-retaining member 214, rotating knob 264, notches 218 and 220, andshowing a typical powercord wound onto retaining member 214.

FIG. 8 is an isometric perspective view of rotatable tool 250, showingbase 242, shaped finger grips 248, of which there are four each per tool250, flange-retaining member 214, rotating knob 264, notches 218 and220, and showing the powercord of a typical electronic appliance such asa headset or earphones with powercord, showing the powercord wound ontothe retaining member 214 or spool, with the appliance of said cordgripped in a notch 218 in flange 214 and the plug end gripped in theother notch 220.

FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective view of rotatable tool 250, showingbase 242, shaped finger grips 248, of which there are four each per tool250, flange-retaining member 214, rotating knob 264, notches 218 and220, and showing the powercord and converter of an appliance requiringconversion from AC to DC power, with the converter end of said cordgripped in a notch 218 in flange 214 and the plug end gripped in theother notch 220.

FIG. 10 is an isometric perspective view of storage bin container 500 asanother embodiment of this invention, shown empty, showing the container500 which can hold and store typical appliances within itself, andshowing racks 512, 514, and 516 on the front of said container 500, eachof which can interface and fit with the retaining member 214 ofpowercord storage tool 250, without the rail brackets that wouldotherwise be required. FIG. 10 also shows schematic alignment of twopowercord storage tools 250, in location and aligned above therespective interface racks, into which they may be inserted, for holdingsaid tools outside said containers.

FIG. 11 is an isometric perspective view of storage container 500,showing typical use of alternate embodiment storage system of thisinvention, with typical appliances in typical positions as the powercordwill be wound onto storage tool 250, appliances and adapters placed andstored inside the appliance storage container 500, and the tools 250,with cord thereon, interfaced and fitted onto the outside of thecontainer 500, on container interface rack 512, and alternately rack514, and 516.

EQUIVALENT NOMENCLATURE

In additional aspects of this invention, the storage slots 512, 514 and516, are sometimes equivalently referred to as racks; storage bins 500are sometimes referred to as storage bin containers 500, and as storagecontainers 500; and other equivalent nomenclatures are likewise usedwhich will be obvious from the illustrations and are herein intended tobe equivalent. Also, the term ergonomic is interpreted asbiotechnological, of or pertaining to biotechnology, i.e. that aspect oftechnology, and particularly mechanical design, applied to function andmovements of the human body, which is concerned with the application ofbiological and engineering data, both kinetic and dynamic, to problemsrelating to the mutual adjustment of man and the machine.

EQUIVALENT EMBODIMENTS INCLUDED

While the preferred embodiment, and typical alternative embodiments, ofthe component parts and assemblies of the storage system of thisinvention, have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, anddescribed in the Detailed Description, it will be understood that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed here, but isequally capable of numerous other equivalent arrangements,rearrangements, modifications and substitutions of parts and elements,equivalently to achieve the functions, means, ways and results disclosedherein, without departing from the spirit and teaching of the invention,and are equivalently covered within this disclosure of this invention.

What I claim is:
 1. Apparatus for storing electrical appliances,adapters and powercords inside an appliance storage container whileinterfacing and attaching one or more powercord storage tools onto theoutside of said storage container, said apparatus comprising:anappliance storage container; and a powercord storage tool; saidpowercord storage tool comprising:a base; and a retaining memberattached to said base; said retaining member comprising:powercordstorage means on said retaining member for gripping, winding and storingan electrical powercord on said powercord storage tool; said appliancestorage container comprising:a back, a left side, a right side, a front,and a bottom, cooperatively comprising means for receiving and holdingone or more of said appliances, adapters and powercord storage toolsinside said container; means for interfacing and attaching saidpowercord storage tool onto the outside of said appliance storagecontainer, comprising:said storage container further comprising a rackaffixed to said container, for removably attaching said powercordstorage tool to the outside of said container; said rack shaped tointerface with, receive and hold said retaining member of said powercordstorage tool; and said retaining member of said powercord storage toolfurther configured to interface with and attach to said rack as meansfor interfacing and attaching said powercord storage tool onto theoutside of said appliance storage container.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising:said retaining member of said powercordstorage tool further comprising:appliance attaching means on saidretaining member for attaching said powercord storage tool, with saidpowercord wound thereon, to an electrical appliance; said applianceattaching means comprising a rail-bracket, an interface pad and a strapon said retaining member, cooperatively configured to interface andattach said powercord storage tool to said electrical appliance. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:said rack of saidstorage container shaped to interface with, receive and hold saidrail-bracket of said retaining member of said powercord storage tool;and said rail-bracket of said powercord storage tool further configuredto interface with and attach to said rack as means for interfacing andattaching said powercord storage tool onto the outside of said appliancestorage container.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 furthercomprising:said powercord storage means further comprising:a spool, afixed flange attached to one end of said spool, and a knob handlerotatably attached near a perimeter of said fixed flange; said retainingmember rotatably attached to said base; first and second notches in saidfixed flange; said first notch comprising means for removably grippingone end of said powercord; said knob comprising means for rotating saidretaining member about said base for winding said powercord onto saidretaining member; said second notch comprising means for removablygripping the other said end of said powercord.
 5. An electricalpowercord storage tool for retaining a powercord of an electricalappliance while attached to said electrical appliance, for storage ofsaid tool, powercord and electrical appliance in an appliance storagecontainer, and alternatively for interface attachment of said powercordstorage tool, with powercord stored thereon, to the outside of saidstorage container while said appliance is stored inside said storagecontainer, comprising:a base; and a retaining member attached to saidbase; said retaining member comprising:powercord storage means on saidretaining member for gripping, winding and storing an electricalpowercord on said powercord storage tool; storage container attachmentmeans on said retaining member for interfacing and attaching saidpowercord storage tool to an appliance storage container, comprising arack on the outside of said appliance storage container; said rackshaped to interface, receive and hold said retaining member; and saidretaining member configured to interface and attach to said rack on theoutside of said storage container.
 6. A device according to claim 5wherein said powercord storage means comprises:a spool, a fixed flangeattached to one end of said spool, and a knob handle rotatably attachednear a perimeter of said fixed flange; said retaining member rotatablyattached to said base; first and second notches in said fixed flange;said first notch comprising means for removably gripping one end of saidpowercord; said knob comprising means for rotating said retaining memberabout said base for winding said powercord onto said retaining member;said second notch comprising means for removably gripping the other endof said powercord.
 7. A device according to claim 5 wherein saidretaining member further comprises:appliance attaching means on saidretaining member for attaching said powercord storage tool, with saidpowercord wound thereon, to an electrical appliance; said applianceattaching means comprising a rail-bracket, an interface pad and a strapon said retaining member, cooperatively configured to interface andattach said powercord storage tool to said electrical appliance.
 8. Adevice according to claim 5 wherein said retaining member furthercomprises:appliance attaching means for attaching said powercord storagetool to said appliance storage container; said appliance attachmentmeans comprising:a fixed flange on said retaining member; said fixedflange further comprising a contact surface, an interface pad, and arail-bracket on said fixed flange, all cooperatively shaped and arrangedto match and interface with a portion of said electrical appliance; anda strap affixed to said fixed flange, latchable around said portion ofsaid electrical appliance, and comprising means for attaching said toolto said appliance.
 9. A device according to claim 5 wherein said storagecontainer attachment means further comprises means for interfacing andattaching said powercord storage tool onto the outside of said appliancestorage container, comprising:said storage container further comprisinga rack affixed to said container, for removably attaching said powercordstorage tool to the outside of said container; said rack shaped tointerface with, receive and hold said retaining member of said powercordstorage tool; and said retaining member of said powercord storage toolfurther configured to interface with and attach to said rack as meansfor interfacing and attaching said powercord storage tool onto theoutside of said appliance storage container.
 10. A device according toclaim 5, further comprising: said base comprising means for manuallyguiding said powercord onto said powercord storage tool.
 11. A deviceaccording to claim 10 wherein said means for manually guiding saidpowercord onto said powercord storage tool comprises a pair of opposingfinger grips fixedly attached, one to each of two opposing edges of saidbase.
 12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said means for manuallyguiding said powercord onto said powercord storage tool comprises:twoopposing edges of said base, each edge shaped to contain two concaveindentions, each shaped to match and receive the convex shape of a humanfinger; a finger grip fixedly attached at each of said indentions, beingone pair to each of two opposing edges of said base.
 13. An electricalpowercord storage tool for interface attachment to the outside of anelectrical appliance storage container, comprising:a base; and aretaining member attached to said base; said retaining membercomprising:powercord storage means on said retaining member forgripping, winding and storing an electrical powercord on said powercordstorage tool; storage container attaching means on said retaining memberfor interfacing and attaching said powercord storage tool to anappliance storage container, comprising a rack on the outside of saidappliance storage container; said rack shaped to interface, receive andhold said retaining member; and said retaining member configured tointerface and attach to said rack on the outside of said storagecontainer; said base comprising:means for manually guiding and providingdirect sensory feedback to the operator of the tension on said powercordwhile it is being wound onto said powercord storage means; said manualguiding and providing means comprising:two opposing edges of said base,each edge shaped to contain two concave indentions; each indentionshaped to match and receive the convex shape of a human finger; a fingergrip fixedly attached at each of said indentions of said base.